Objectives: Common representations of the world of gold mining–especially illegal–are usually negative: the activity conjures up images of drug trafficking, human exploitation, the sex trade, environmental destruction, and infectious diseases, in particular sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The aim of the present article is to describe the levels of risk behaviors such as transactional sex, multiple sexual partners, and the frequency of condom use, addictive substance consumption, and the prevalence of STIs among the population of illegal gold miners in French Guiana (FG), a French overseas entity in Amazonia, in order to guide potential interventions. Methods: An observational multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out from October to December 2019 along the two borders of FG with Suriname and Brazil at rest sites used by the miners. Results: Among the 499 participants, transactional sex was very prevalent, declared by 33.5% of men and 8.4% of women. Condoms were more frequently used for transactional sex than with a non-commercial partner (93.4% versus 42.1%). More women were tested for HIV than men (91.1% versus 55.2%). Excessive alcohol consumption (57.3%%) and tobacco use (41.2%) were very frequent, but cocaine or crack consumption was low (1.2%), which refuted our initial assumption. Consumers of alcohol had more sexual partners and reported condom use more frequently. Prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis was respectively 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1–2.1), 2.1% (95% CI: 0.7–3.6), 1.6% (95% CI: 0.3–2.8), and 12.4% (95% CI: 9.0–15.7), which was higher than in the local population, especially for syphilis. Conclusion: This study documents for the first time the risk behaviors of gold miners in FG. Although the level of condom use was high, the prevalence of STIs combined with the high rate of transactional sex should encourage an increase in prevention and screening, in particular through rapid tests, given the mobility of the population concerned.

Brazilian garimpeiros are a highly hard-to-reach and mobile population, with little access to basic hygiene and health services, and have been crossing the border to work irregularly in gold mines in French Guiana since the 1990s. This study aimed to characterize this population and identify their main health problems. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the municipality of Oiapoque-AP, with two surveys: before (2018) and after (2019) the implementation of Malakit. Individuals were recruited from resting places and given a questionnaire regarding demographic variables, history and knowledge of malaria, and health issues in the mines. Simultaneously, a clinical evaluation was performed. The garimpeiros were mainly men from Maranhão, Pará, and Amapá, with a low educational level and who had worked on average for 10 years in the mining sites. The study population mentioned numerous health problems: malaria, followed by leishmaniasis, flu, body aches, headaches, and digestive problems. Other diseases mentioned were skin diseases, bat bites, hepatitis, and HIV infection. This vulnerable population is constantly subjected to heavy routines and exposed to different diseases and infections that can spread across borders. Knowledge of this is essential for developing public health policies that can be integrated into specific epidemiological situations.

Background: Periodontal disease in non-human primates (NHPs) has gained relevance due to its similarities with human pathology and its potential to influence systemic health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and the development of systemic conditions in NHPs, aiming to understand the mechanisms involved and their clinical significance. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using the PICO strategy, including observational studies, experimental research, and integrative reviews that examined periodontal disease in NHPs and its association with systemic diseases. Results: A total of eleven studies were analyzed, revealing consistent associations between periodontal disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The reviewed studies identified inflammatory pathways, including elevated cytokines, acute-phase proteins and immune responses, as key mediators linking periodontal disease to systemic dysfunction. Oral pathogens and chronic inflammation were shown to impact distant organs, suggesting a broader role of oral health in systemic disease. Conclusions: The findings support the hypothesis that periodontal disease in NHPs contributes to systemic disease progression and is not merely a localized condition.

Brazilian garimpeiros are a highly hard-to-reach and mobile population, with little access to basic hygiene and health services, and have been crossing the border to work irregularly in gold mines in French Guiana since the 90s. This study aimed to characterize this population and identify their main health problems. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the municipality of Oiapoque-AP, with two surveys: before (2018) and after (2019) the implementation of Malakit. Individuals were recruited from resting places and submitted to a questionnaire with demographic variables, history and knowledge of malaria, and health issues in the mines. Simultaneously, a clinical evaluation was performed. The garimpeiros were mainly men from Maranhão, Pará, and Amapá, with a low educational level and worked on average for 10 years in the mining sites. The study population mentioned numerous health problems: malaria, followed by leishmaniasis, flu, body aches, headaches, and digestive problems. Other diseases mentioned were skin diseases, bat bites, hepatitis, and HIV infection. This vulnerable population is constantly subjected to heavy routines and exposed to different diseases and infections that can spread across borders. Knowledge of this is essential for developing public health policies that can be integrated into specific epidemiological situations.

Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a widely distributed zoonosis with relevance in human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of T. gondii infection in Brazilian miners working informally in French Guiana. To this end, 480 individuals were recruited from resting places in the municipality of Oiapoque, Amapá, Brazil. Whole blood samples on filter paper were analyzed for IgM and IgG antibodies by ELISA. Nested PCR of the GRA7 gene was used to detect parasite DNA. Sociodemographic information, characteristics of the mining sites, and lifestyle data were collected using epidemiological questionnaires analyzed using univariate and multivariable models. The results showed that 79.3% of the individuals were IgG seropositive, while 0.8% were IgM seropositive. These were also IgG seropositive. In addition, T. gondii DNA was detected in 2% of the samples analyzed by nPCR, all of which were IgG seropositive and none of which were IgM seropositive. The high seropositivity observed, without association with sociodemographic or occupational variables, suggests that T. gondii exposure may be driven by environmental conditions related to Amazonian mining. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of environmental transmission sources and support targeted public health interventions, including improved water safety, sanitation, surveillance, and health education tailored to mining communities.